This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links.
According to a certain study, about 25% of Americans have a smart thermostat installed in their homes, with Nest and Ecobee being two of the most popular smart thermostats on the market. These devices make managing your home’s HVAC system easier throughout the year as you can control almost everything from your smartphone. Moreover, they have some incredible intelligent features that help to conserve energy on your home’s heating and cooling, leading to reduced energy bills.
But how do you choose between Ecobee Vs Nest thermostat? Which is the best option for your home; Ecobee or Nest thermostat?
For starters, Ecobee and Nest smart thermostats look very different from one another. However, that may not be enough to help you decide as their features tend to vary widely. In this article, we’ll look at some of their key differences to help you make the right choice!
Comparison; Ecobee Vs Nest thermostat
1. Appearance / Design
The Nest Learning thermostat features a modernized, perfectly round look that includes a stainless steel outer ring that reflects the wall color, allowing it to blend in with any décor. However, if you don’t like the stainless steel, Nest is available in 6 other color options such as copper, polished steel, brass, black, mirror black, and white.
That aside, the screen of the Nest thermostat is made of glass, while its sides are either steel or polycarbonate. More notably, the face of the thermostat lights up with orange light when your system is cooling and blue light when it’s heating. Overall, the Nest thermostat has a solid construction and feels sturdy when you handle it.
Another unique feature displayed by this device is that the display wakes when it senses your presence, thanks to farsight technology. Unfortunately, the Nest Learning thermostat doesn’t have a touchscreen display. Instead, it’s equipped with a spinning dial that allows you to navigate through the menus.
In comparison, Ecobee smart thermostat is a bit more squared with rounded corners. More importantly, the device features a black touchscreen display, which is significantly larger than the Nest thermostat display. As a result, it looks nice and allows you to see the inside temperature from a distance. Even better, you can easily change the temperatures by swiping up or down on the touchscreen. In addition, the display lights up brighter when you get close to the device and the temperature appears.
2. Available Models
Both Nest and Ecobee offer a wide range of various smart thermostats.
Currently, Ecobee has 2 models in the brand line; Ecobee smart thermostat premium with voice control and Ecobee3 Lite. Both models allow you to control your HVAC system from your smartphone and adjust your schedules accordingly. However, the more premium model comes with Alexa built-in and smart speakers that allows you to enjoy music from popular platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music. In addition, the premium thermostat comes with a remote smart sensor that can be placed in a separate room from the thermostat to control the temperature in that room when it detects motion.
On the other hand, Nest has various models such as the Nest thermostat and Nest learning thermostat. The Nest Learning thermostat has some stylish design touches not found on the Nest thermostat such as the metal dual that allows you to change the temperature. In addition, Nest has another thermostat known as Nest thermostat E which was launched in 2017. However, Nest thermostat E has been discontinued in the United States, although it’s still available in the United Kingdom (UK).
3. Price
Ecobee Vs Nest thermostat have released lower-cost versions of their main models.
For instance, Ecobee3 Lite is Ecobee’s most economical model, Ecobee smart thermostat Enhanced is an intermediated, while their smart thermostat with voice control is their premium model.
In terms of appearance, Ecobee3 Lite looks similar and functions almost the same as the premium model. However, it lacks a few of the ‘extra’ features contained in the Premium version like an inbuilt air quality monitor and voice assistant control. Moreover, Ecobee 3 Lite doesn’t work or comes with remote smart sensors.
Similarly, the Google Nest thermostat is the Nest Economy model, while the Nest Learning thermostat is their premium model.
With that in mind, both Nest and Ecobee look like they have smart thermostats at very similar price points. Ecobee3 Lite sells for around $150 and was released in 2016, while the Google Nest thermostat is priced at around $130. In contrast, both Nest Learning and Ecobee Premium smart thermostats are priced at around $250.
4. Features
Both Nest and Ecobee are equally matched in terms of the most basic functions. You can use both their high-end or entry-level models to control your home temperature from your smartphone, whether you’re at home or away from your property. Moreover, both smart thermostats are equipped with humidity and temperature sensors, smart home integration, and support for multiple zone setups.
However, Ecobee smart thermostats offer a little bit extra compared to their Nest counterparts. For instance, Ecobee3 Lite has a ‘Follow Me’ and occupancy detection feature that allows it to adjust the temperatures according to the room you are in. In addition, the Ecobee Premium Smart thermostat comes with smart sensors and includes additional features like access to Spotify, hands-free calling, Bluetooth streaming, etc.
5. Apps
Both Nest and Ecobee have mobile apps that allow remote control and access to their smart thermostats.
With Nest, you can use the Google Home app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. However, you need to set up the Nest Learning device in the Nest app first, then move your Nest account to the Google account before you can control it with the Google Home app. Once you’ve done that, the app will allow you to do things like changing mode and presets, setting the target temperature, viewing your energy history remotely, and set your schedules.
In addition, Nest has 3 preset temperature options; sleep, Echo when you are away and Comfort when you are at home. These 3 options will be fine, but you can also create additional presets.
On the other hand, Ecobee thermostats use the Ecobee app, which is also available for both Android and iOS devices. The app gives you total control of your Ecobee device and even offers additional features like a mode menu, temperature slide, vacation mode tag, etc. Overall, it allows you to do everything on your Ecobee smart thermostat including setting current temperatures and schedules.
6. Sensors
Generally, the temperature of your thermostat location might be different from the temperature of the room where you spend most of your time. Luckily, remote sensors allow your smart thermostat to take readings from various rooms throughout your home and adjust accordingly. As a result, various rooms will have comfortable temperature settings, including those located in direct sunlight or next to a door (cold rafts).
Nest Learning smart thermostat comes with 6 sensors, allowing it to manage your home’s environment efficiently. This includes; a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor that detects nearby objects, occupancy sensor and a humidity sensor. In addition, the device has a magnetic sensor that locates the position of the ring on the thermostat and an ambient light sensor that measures the amount of light in a room.
However, although the Nest Learning thermostat has more sensors, it can only monitor the area around the thermostat. On the bright side, you can solve these limitations by adding remote sensors in other rooms.
On the contrary, Ecobee smart thermostat has 4 integrated sensors for temperature, humidity, proximity, and occupancy. In addition, Ecobee is the only smart thermostat in the market that comes with a remote temperature sensor that can be installed in a different room from the thermostat. This smart sensor detects motion and temperature in that room and sends that data back to the Ecobee thermostat. The thermostat then uses that information to keep the room where the sensor is installed at your preferred temperature.
7. Smart Home integration
Although Nest is owned by Google, it’s compatible with other smart home systems apart from Google Assistant. For instance, both Nest and Nest Learning Thermostat work with Samsung SmartThings and Alexa for voice control. However, Nest devices aren’t compatible with Apple Homekit devices, although that may change soon.
On the other hand, Ecobee smart thermostat works with Google Assistant, Alexa, Samsung Smartthings, and even Apple Homekit. So, if you are an iPhone user, Ecobee is better since it will allow you to access the device with Siri and Apple Home app. Even better, Ecobee smart thermostat with voice control comes with Alexa built-In. This allows you to make intercom-style announcements, hands-free calls, and play podcasts and music directly from the device.
Which is Better; Ecobee Vs Nest thermostat?
Generally speaking, Ecobee seems like a better smart thermostat than Nest since it comes with more features such as an inbuilt music speaker. However, Nest smart thermostats also offer some incredible features to offer.
For instance, if you have already invested deeply in the Google Assistant and Google Home settings, getting a Nest device will make more sense. Besides, Nest thermostats are available in various color options, which allows them to conveniently blend with your home’s interior design. On the contrary, if you are an iPhone user, Ecobee is certainly a better option since it will allow you to access the device with Siri and the Apple Home app.